Anyone in California towing double?

[Warhorse]

I would like to tow my Jeep CJ-7 behind my 24 foot fifth wheel. Does anyone know what license is required to do this in California? Thanks!

Paul

 

[fmj]

I hope there is someone that is more knowledgeable than me. Here is a website that gives you some general information of all states: http://www.rvcentral.com/towusa.htm#5. The law says for a class C license that you can tow more than one vehicle with "exceptions". In the CHP and DMV website it states that you can only tow one vehicle with a "passanger" vehicle or with one weighing less than 4K. What isn't clear is the defination of passenger and what happens when the vehicle is over 4K. Since the trucks weigh almost twice the 4k restriction, it could be looked at as legal to tow two trailers as long as your under the 65' total length. Pretty damn confusing. I know people that do tow two trailers and haven't got stopped, but knowing what the law is exactly isn't clear. It would be nice to hear from someone in the CHP on this that would sign their name so we can use it when we get ticketed :-{} (right). I've been interested in this also and trying to get a clear answer.

 

[SMoules]

I've tried to solve this question before. I called the DMV and they told me this falls in the class A doubles liscense category. I was not satisified with their minimal thought of response. So then I called two separate CHP officers and got two different answers. One said to keep the total lenth 75' and under. He also said if he was to pull me over that I better have something more than just a class C. The other officer wasn't sure but said he thinks 65' and under. He also wasn't sure what kind of liscense if any that I would need. I took it upon myself and went to the DMV and past a test for a Class A non commercial fith wheel travel trailer weighting over 15,000 lbs. endorsement sticker. Now I have something to show for thats more than your ordinary class C. No fifth wheel yet but I feel good about being ready for one with my boat behind.

 

[Bob4x4]

I've tried to solve this question before. I called the DMV and they told me this falls in the class A doubles liscense category. I was not satisified with their minimal thought of response. So then I called two separate CHP officers and got two different answers. One said to keep the total lenth 75' and under. He also said if he was to pull me over that I better have something more than just a class C. The other officer wasn't sure but said he thinks 65' and under. He also wasn't sure what kind of liscense if any that I would need. I took it upon myself and went to the DMV and past a test for a Class A non commercial fith wheel travel trailer weighting over 15,000 lbs. endorsement sticker. Now I have something to show for thats more than your ordinary class C. No fifth wheel yet but I feel good about being ready for one with my boat behind.

You should have also gotten the doubles endosment... ... ... .



Bob

 

[SMoules]

I was told to get a doubles endorsement you have to have a class A liscense.

 

[JayWm]

I was told to get a doubles endorsement you have to have a class A liscense.

You need a doubles endorsement... . so you need a class A. If you're gonna ask a CHP officer, find a commercial officer. That's what they do all day long.



A commercial vehicle is a motor vehicle or combination used for hire to transport passengers or property or which:



Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more

Is designed, used, or maintained for carrying more than 10 passengers, including the driver

Tows a vehicle or trailer, which has a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more

Transports hazardous materials, which requires placards

Tows any combination of two trailers or vehicle and trailer



This is straight off the DMV website.

 

[desertryder]

I just went through all of that and the DMV and the CHP are not on the same page.

Finally my cop friend told me " you can drive past our officers all day long and if your not speeding or doing something stupid you'll never get stopped because even they don't know the law.

Then he finished our conversation with BUT if you get in an accident you insurance does not have to pay if your driving out of classification. "

With that last remark I sold my 2 trailer set up and bought a 30 ft toybox to haul my junk and I feel better except for the 25 grand I spent to get really legal.

To loose my 600000 house because I didn't want to spend 30000 on a trailer just seemed wrong.

Living in Calif I just figured if my insurance company can get out of paying a claim I am sure they will.



good luck

wurty

 

[NVR FNSH]

I took it upon myself and went to the DMV and past a test for a Class A non commercial fith wheel travel trailer weighting over 15,000 lbs. endorsement sticker.

Did you get a Restriction 41 added to your Class C license? It will be printed on the back. The R41 allows towing a 5th wheel RV between 10,001-15,000 GVWR. The R41 is a written test only - no driving test.



Brian

 

[Short Stack]

There are some gray areas in the code, first you do need a Class A with the doubles endoursment. Total lenght for doubles is 65' the 75' is truck or tractor and trailer not doubles. If you pull doubles the front trailer can not be over 28. 5'. That said, the books also says semi trailer 28. 5' not RV trailer. I do have a Class A with doubles endoursment, my trailer is 28. 5' and with truck, 5er and boat I am 66' from the front bumper to the prop on the outboard motor. I asked a CHP officer about the 66' and he told me the 65' does not include attacthments such as the boat motor. So far I have not been stopped but hope I am as legal as I can be.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

I was stopped at FLA port of entry with a 25 foot horse trailer, a converter dolly and a 19 foot horse trailer, both goosenecks with living quarters in front. They wanted to check my Class A. I needed the doubles endorsement on my CDL to "operate that commercial tractor trailer combination", I said,"This is a pick up truck" (That was stupid)



The DOT officer said "DON'T YOU THINK I KNOW WHAT A COMMERCIAL HAULER LOOKS LIKE?! 70 FEET OF FRIGGIN RIG AND YOU BEIN' A SMART***!



They had no care in the world how big the rig was. They just wanted all the DOT stuff set up in the Dodge. Cab Card, Fire Extinguisher, triangles, first aid... ..... etc.

 

[jelag]

For 25 years my sister taught a CHP class on how to understand and apply the DMV laws and enforce them..... she traveled the state and often had the same CHP officers from one year to the next in the class... . her comments is that most of the officers don't know their "blank, blank, blank" to save their a**'s..... the commerical officer is the guy you need to find... .



BTW she also said that most of the clerks in the DMV offices shouldn't be trying to tell you either... . their just clerks pushing paper.....



I know this isn't an answer... . but I drive through CA all the time with a WA licence. . and always wonder what's going to happen when I get stopped... . I always pull a heavy trailer.....



Throttle Jockey... . I've had the same kind of stop, never bothered to check my licence, or the weight of the trailer,,, lets see, your cab card, insurance, log book, etc etc... .